Talented sports physiologists Nicola Bullock and Eileen Robertson from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) have been named joint winners of the inaugural AIS Robert T Withers PhD Scholar Award.

The new AIS research award has been created to celebrate excellence and innovation in the work of PhD scholars studying exercise physiology in Australia, in particular research which has the potential to make a major impact on Australia’s sporting success.

The award is named after eminent Australian exercise physiologist Bob Withers, an early pioneer and leading educator of PhD exercise physiology scholars, who passed away in 2007.

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker introduced the award in March as a lasting tribute to Withers and a legacy ‘to encourage, inspire and challenge the next generation of physiologists to achieve excellence and innovation in their PhD work’.

Head of AIS Physiology Professor Chris Gore joined Professor Fricker in congratulating the joint winners, Nicola Bullock and Eileen Robertson.

‘Both of the PhD scholars are working at the forefront of sports science research and development and pushing the limits of scientific inquiry to help Australian athletes and teams gain that winning edge,’ said Professor Gore. ‘They have shown tremendous passion, drive and commitment in their PhD research work.’

Nicola Bullock was commended for her exhaustive PhD research into the performance of Australia’s winter athletes in skeleton racing. Her research, which was mentored by Dr David Martin, has let to a much greater understanding of key factors that affected the performance of skeleton athletes at the Winter Olympic Games.

Eileen Robertson, currently a lecturer in exercise physiology at the University of Canberra, was recognised for her significant contribution under the guidance of Professor David Pyne to physiological expertise and support that helped maximise the performance of AIS swimmers and teams in preparation for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The AIS Robert T Withers PhD Scholar Award includes a $5000 prize and medallion. It is open to current PhD scholars (or individuals who graduated less than one year ago) from any Australian university, sports institute or academy, who have conducted exercise physiology research that has had a substantial impact, or the potential to have a strong impact, on Australian sport.